getting rid of involuntary thoughts.

[BlackPanther]

i'm having a major problem. i'm having sinful thoughts. alot. and i don't want them. i don't sit there and think these thoughts. they just pop in. i end up praying for forgiveness quite a few times an hour. how do i get rid of these thoughts?

(the thoughts can be phrases, images, sounds, etc...anything.)

 

[Slave2SinNoMore]

Are you a Christian? If so, the first time that thought pops in your head, it's the devil popping it in there. It's the temptation. Temptation is not a sin; Jesus was tempted. However, if you take that same thought and dwell on it, it becomes your thought.

Here's what I do - and it works. When that evil thought pops up in my mind, I say (sometime aloud) - "That is not my thought, it is the devil's temptation. I refuse to dwell on it. I will instead dwell on the good things of the Lord", and I praise God.

 

[midnight star]

Thats a cop out. It's philosophies like that remove people from personal responsibility.

What type of sinful thoughts are you having? If they are sexual or violent in nature, maybe seeing a counselor would be advisable. Instead of waiting for the "devil" to show up just to tell him to go away, why not see if you can get the source of the issues. I do have to agree with Slave that temptations are not sins if that makes you feel better.

 

[Slave2SinNoMore]

That's not a cop-out at all. I do take personal responsibility FOR MY SINS. But when that temptation first hits, it's not sin yet. If I don't act on it or give it a second thought, it never becomes mine. It remains an "unsuccessful temptation". The Lord doesn't want me to waste my time asking for forgiveness because I was tempted. Now, like I said, if I don't immediately "take the thought captive" - if I dwell on it even a little bit, it's a sin.

The truth of the matter is that Satan is alive and well and constantly brining demonic attacks against God's children. Make no mistake, temptation is an ct of demonic oppression. It's real, and it's awful. But as Christians, we are already victorious over the power of sin - that's what Paul says, and it's true. Christ's death broke the power of sin in the lives of those who follow him.

When a person becomes a Christian, he is "reborn". This doesn't mean that he is automatically made a "better version of his old self". It means he is made into a new creation altogether (2 Cor. 5:17). Before you become a Christian, you have a sin nature, and it is that sin nature that "steers you". No matter how hard you try, you will ultimately succumb to sin, because sin has that power over you. However, when you become reborn, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in you, and you have a brand new nature - the nature of Christ. The Word tells us that our old nature was crucified with Christ and in its place is the new nature - the nature of Christ. Now, just as the sin nature controlled and drove you as a nonChristian, the new nature drives you when you are a Christian. If you sin as a Christian, you are actually going against your new nature - since the new nature is that of Christ, you actually want to do good and live a holy life. That is how I know that the first thought is a temptation friom the demons of hell, and is not generated by you - why would you, with the nature of Christ, generate your own bad thoughts? But many Christian teachers tell us that to even have that first thought is a sin, and this doctrine creates many feelings of needless guilt - but that first though is not sin! You cannot control it; it is what Satan does best.

Fro example, you're driving down the road and a wacky thought pops up in your mind "I'd like to run this car right off that bridge!" Man, what a crazy thought! But you know that's not your thought, because you don't really wanna run your car off the bridge. Many thoughts that Satan throws at us are like that -easy to detect as his thoughts not ours. But many are not so easy to detect-like if a beautiful woman walks by, and the lustful thought hits you. Satan wants you to think that you generated that thought, and that you really want to commit that sexual sin - after all, isn't just "human nature"? But take a deeper look at that initial thought only, not others if you dwell on it, but just that initial thought. If you have the nature of Christ (and you do as a Christian), ask yourself this: Would the nature of Christ want to have sex with that woman? The answer is "Of course not!" So, the fact is that first thought originated from an external source - Satan's demons themselves. However, if you take that thought and dwell on it - you are making a choice to make that your thought, and it becomes a part of your brain activity, which is part of the flesh, which is NOT perfected.

Here's another thing to do. When a temptation first hits you, follow these steps:

1)Recognize it as the devil's thought - not yours.
2)Thank that Lord that in Him, you are victorious over the power of sin.
3)Say "I choose to let my new nature control me, the Holy Spirit"
4)Take this temptation as an opportunity to be an intercessor; Pray for every other Christian who might be dealing with that temptation at that exact moment (I assure you, many others are experiencing the same exact temptations).
5)Praise God for who he is, what he has done for you, and the victory he has given you.

Midnight Star, the person who asked this question is obviously a Christian and as such, was asking for advice from other Christians. I honestly don't mean to be rude, but I don't think a "wiccan in training" is really qualified to answer a question from a Christian viewpoint.

 

[ian]

HEY SLAVETOSINNOMORE,

I am pretty much facing these thoughts as ya.

My solution is simple. I would recognised these temptations and quickly cry to the Lord Jesus and tell Him I love Him and need Him to overcome these temptation.

I would then appropriate the Victory on the Cross.

Remember that an idle mind is the devil's workshop. So fill your mind and time with good things.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

ian

 

[Tangnefedd]

Everyone has involuntary thoughts, which are no big deal. It is what you do about them that is important. If you rob a bank after an involuntary thought telling you to do so pops into your head, then of course that is wrong. We cannot control our thoughts but we certainly can control our actions.

 

[Moros]

That's just being human.

 

[Pastor_Benjamin]

Idol minds are the devils workshop thats why we must keep our minds focused on Jesus.

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

There are some incredibly good posts here.

 

[CPman2004]

This is a very good topic that applies to everyone. Thanks for bringing it up.
And I have to agree. There are some very good posts in here.

 

[gslayer]

Hey Slave2sinnomore.. I very much agree with your method of dealing with unwanted thoughts. I myself have cried on the Lord when I was having bad thoughts ... at first it was every couple minutes.. eventually though it got better and better, until I really didn't have a problem with those specific thoughts. Stand strong slave2sinnomore... God bless!

 

[BlackPanther]

good advice, everyone. thank you.

 

[jimnky]

i just say(stop it devil!!)

 

[mesue]

i'm having a major problem. i'm having sinful thoughts. alot. and i don't want them. i don't sit there and think these thoughts. they just pop in. i end up praying for forgiveness quite a few times an hour. how do i get rid of these thoughts?

(the thoughts can be phrases, images, sounds, etc...anything.)

Pray. These thoughts mean you are human, and as a human we struggle with our flesh. Our flesh includes the thoughts we think. Unfortunately, sinful thoughts do not leave and never come back. We can, however, keep going back to the Lord in prayer. If these thoughts continue to disturb you, I strongly suggest that you talk to your parents, Pastor, or an adult you trust that loves the Lord, and seek guidance. Sometimes just talking about stuff out in the open can clear the thoughts, and get help if we need it. Sometimes when we talk about stuff we learn that we’re not so different after all.

 

[BlackPanther]

yea i talk. i use scripture now, like people have suggested. it works.

 

[harmmony]

i'm having a major problem. i'm having sinful thoughts. alot. and i don't want them. i don't sit there and think these thoughts. they just pop in. i end up praying for forgiveness quite a few times an hour. how do i get rid of these thoughts?

(the thoughts can be phrases, images, sounds, etc...anything.)

I have seriously battled with this issue over the years and the only way to beat it long term is to hit them with scripture. That way you are using the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) to battle with and are renewing your mind with the Word at the same time. Others here have mentioned scripture but they haven't given you anything specific so I will give you the ones I have used. I will give you the scripture and then the confession that I use to battle the thoughts. These scriptures are from the Amplified which I don't normally use, but I find it excellent for making scriptures into confessions.

From 2 Corinthians 2:3-5 - 3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.
4For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

I confess - "I take these thoughts captive into the obedience of Christ and cast down every thought that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God."


From Colossians 3:15 - 15And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

I confess - "I let the peace of God rule in my heart and mind."


From Romans 12:2 - 2Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

I confess - "I am not conformed to this world but am transformed by the renewing of my mind. My mind is renewed by the Word of God."


From Phillippians 4:7-8 - 7And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

I confess - "The peace of God which passes all understanding keeps my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. And things which are good and pure and perfect and lovely and of good report I think only of these things. I do not speak or think or meditate on negative things, I only think and speak and meditate on positive things".


I hope this hasn't been too much for you, but I guarantee you that using these scriptures against unwanted thoughts of every kind definitely works. It will become more effective the more you do it. It will get easier as you get to know the scriptures by heart and they become sown into your spirit.

All the best.

 

[BlackPanther]

thanks for the verses.